Which Scenic Train Journeys Should You Experience in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka is a destination filled with breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, beautiful beaches, and lush green mountains. Nevertheless, it is not the last time that one will remember the exciting journey by train as a way of exploring the island. The railway system in the country extends through tea bushes, foggy hills, woodlands, villages and beaches, which allows the traveller to experience the magnificent views at a leisurely rate. Scenic Train Journeys in Sri Lanka are perfect to the tourists who desire to explore the natural beauty of the country as well as have a local feel of travelling there. To UAE travellers, Sri Lanka Tour Packages from Dubai can help them to incorporate these memorable train journeys to sightseeing, accommodation, and other holiday activities.

The best aspect about traveling by train in Sri Lanka is that there are different landscapes on the various routes. A ride across the central highlands is totally a contrast with a ride along a railway along the Indian Ocean. Of the well-known Kandy-Ella road to the tropical Colombo-Galle sea trip, there is something to offer nature enthusiasts, photographers, couples, families and adventure explorers. When you are organizing a trip to Sri Lanka, it is possible to add a train ride to your list of places to visit so that when you have to switch between the places, it will be one of the attractions of your stay.

1. Kandy to Ella Train Journey

The train ride along the Kandy to Ella is one of the most popular train experiences in Sri Lanka. The road is located in the beautiful central highlands where tourists are able to view the rolling green mountains, tea gardens, forests, water falls and small villages.

The view is more and more impressive as the train ascends into the hills. This is contrasted by the cool climate of the mountain and quiet environment compared to the warmer parts of the island.

This is the consummate Scenic Train Journeys in Sri Lanka experience to many of the visitors. The train is slow enough to allow the passengers an ample time to view the scenery and take some memorable pictures.

2. Ella to Kandy Train Journey

Another great experience of the hill country in Sri Lanka is travelling along the Ella to Kandy. Ella lies in an area of dramatic mountains, tea-plantations and a fertile vegetation, and is a good place to commence a railway adventure.

The trip goes through a number of picturesque regions and mountainous towns. The scenery passing the train window offers a pleasant and serene travelling experience.

This train ride can also be combined with sightseeing at attractions surrounding Ella such as viewpoints, waterfalls, hiking sites and the popular Nine Arch Bridge.

3. Nanu Oya and Nuwara Eliya Train Experience

Nuwara Eliya is a cool climate, colonial and large scale tea plantation. This popular hill-country destination can be reached by rail at Nanu Oya railway station.

The adjacent railway line boasts of breathtaking sceneries of green tea mountainous tops and cloudy valleys. Visitors have the option of taking a train ride accompanied by a trip to a tea estate or on the train ride they can visit the attractions around Nuwara Eliya.

The route is particularly attractive to those travellers who prefer to enjoy the quiet landscapes and colder mountain climate.

4. Colombo to Kandy Train Journey

Colombo to Kandy railway route elicits a fascinating change in the urban environment to the more natural scenery in central Sri Lanka.

The train is heading out of Colombo, through towns, villages, farmland, and getting more and more hilly as it moves towards Kandy. The trip is easy to travellers who would wish to have a cultural experience at Kandy as well as an unforgettable ride to Kandy by rail.

Kandy is also a major cultural attraction and so this route would be an excellent addition to most itineraries of Sri Lanka.

5. Colombo to Galle Coastal Train Journey

Those travellers that are beach and ocean lovers can opt to use Colombo to Galle coastal train route. This is in contrast to the mountain routes, where the passengers get to see the Indian Ocean, palm trees, fishing villages and settlements.

The last stage of the journey is Galle, a terrific place to visit. It is well-known among foreigners due to its ancient fort, beautiful streets, and seashore.

The coastal line is also ideal to travellers who desire a shorter and less hectic train ride.

6. Haputale Train Journey

Haputale is a calm mountainous town surrounded by tea plantation and magnificent valleys. The highlands area has a great view of Sri Lankan highlands as seen on the railway journey.

The songs follow the mountainous roads, and provide great opportunities to take pictures. During sunny days the travellers will be able to see vast landscapes of the countryside around.

Visitors who do not want to visit some of the busier tourist destinations in the country may find Haputale a good option.

7. Demodara Railway Experience

Demodara is known by its unique railway loop in which the track forms a spectacular loop surrounding the landscape and under the track. The area is especially beautiful due to the number of hills and tea plantations.

Demodara should also be included in the itinerary of the visitors interested in photography, railway engineering or in the unique travel experiences. It also may be accompanied by sightseeing around Ella.

Tips for Enjoying Train Journeys in Sri Lanka

You can enjoy your railway journey more comfortably by a few preparations:

•                     Book early: Popular routes can become crowded during busy travel periods.

•                     Select your class: Higher classes and reserved are more comfortable, and lower classes are more local.

•                     Bring water and snacks: You can bring refreshments on more lengthy trips.

•                     Keep your camera ready: Scenic views can appear quickly around mountain bends.

•                     Daytime travel: Daytime travel has the best chances of having a glimpse of the scenery.

•                     Train schedules: Railways do not maintain timetables and therefore, ensure that you check their timetables before travelling.

•                     Carry a light jacket: Mountain areas can be considerably cooler than coastal regions.

Why Choose a Train Journey?

Traveling by train enables the visitor to get a glimpse of Sri Lanka other than its prime attractions. Passengers do not have to travel directly through one place to another but have an opportunity to enjoy the countryside, observe the local life, and enjoy the changing landscapes on the way.

The Scenic Train Journeys in Sri Lanka are especially fulfilling in that they are an adventure, a relaxation, a discovery of the culture and a discovery of photography. They can also be a good option to travellers who prefer to explore Sri Lanka on a low speed.

Conclusion

The Sri Lankan railways experience is something to enjoy with all kinds of travellers as it has the green mountains of Kandy and Ella, tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya, and the coastal landscape between Colombo and Galle. Scenic Train journeys in Sri Lanka offer you a chance to not only view the natural beauty of the country in a totally new dimension but also to include the journey in the holiday.

Travelling with family, friends or even a partner, a train ride will make your Sri Lankan trip a more memorable one. You can have a combination of beaches, cultural trips, wildlife and hill-country with a bit of railway experience with the carefully planned Sri Lanka Tour Packages. Arooha Tours can assist the travellers to plan their nice Sri Lanka holiday which will incorporate some of the most memorable experiences in the island.